GM's Annual Inspection of the Khana-Howrah section of the Howrah division. Everything you need to know about "GM's Inspection" This is my first experience of a live GM's Inspection of a "section" (Previously, I had experience with the GM Inspection of the Loco shed). So before I share my experience, you need to know a little basics. • GM's Annual Inspection in Eastern Railway typically takes place during the December-March period. • The GM inspects a section in every division (Howrah, Sealdah, Asansol, and Malda). He may also inspect any Carshed, Loco Shed, Workshop, Hospital, Museum, Coaching yard, etc. • Senior divisional officers propose to the GM for visiting any section of their division / Hospital / workplace. • A tentative schedule is laid out. At least 8-10 months ahead, it is decided which section/place the GM shall visit. Developments are made accordingly. • The GM usually inspects according to a pre-planned schedule of things (like TRD depot, station building, railway colony, RRI, running room, food plaza, bridge, curve, etc.) Now, I am only aware of and interested in the GM Inspection in the Howrah & Sealdah divisions. Taking a live experience of Inspection at the Sealdah division is not possible for me, as every year, the GM's Inspection occurs at MID-NIGHT at the Sealdah division (This happens to ensure a clear path for the train, which may stop anywhere, take speed trials, and there is no EMU blocking the path or EMU being blocked.) • The GM is supposed to be the most important person in a Railway zone and the GM's Inspection is a very serious event. • It’s not only the GM who inspects everything; many higher officers also inspect alongside him. • Every department must ensure everything is in order. Everything means everything. The GM can stop anywhere and inspect anything on his route. He may not always follow the pre-determined "stoppages of visit," but will definitely follow the "scheduled route." So upgrades of "everything" occur only at the stations/buildings, etc., lying in his path where he is supposed to inspect, NOT the whole division. • The station building, platforms, and tracks are cleaned and painted thoroughly. There should be no dirt. Water taps should be functioning. Adequate lighting should be provided. Seating arrangements and shelters should be appropriate. • No plastic or waste should be along the tracks. Railways dispose of them. All unwanted plants and bushes are cleared out. • Tracks, switches, points, joints, and guard rails should be painted in different colors. Each color has a meaning (which we Railfans can't identify without a manual). • Tracks should be smooth. The engineering department needs to ensure the GM's train does not have a bumpy ride. • Every signboard and indicator should be in proper order. • The GM's train should be given the highest priority. A relief engine should run behind the GM's train or be attached to it for emergencies in case the leading locomotive fails. • The GM's train may carry any instruments or track recording equipment. Every officer should prepare a project report related to his department/team and present it to the GM upon request, any time. • The GM generally conducts a speed trial on a length of his allotted section. • The GM usually inaugurates at least one project during his Inspection (it may be a children's park, seating area, water cooler, waiting hall, running room, any technological equipment, etc.) • The GM also interacts with field staff and other personnel. They should be ready for any questions. • Now you will compare what of the above "expected items of inspection" actually happened. Now let's come to the topic, "GM's Annual Inspection over KAN (including) - BWN - HWH via-HBC (120 Kms.) • You can see from the heading that the Inspection starts from Khana and goes to Howrah (not the other way around). • Shri Suneet Sharma, GM/ER's train left Howrah at 07:45 powered by 30494 WAP7 (at the DLI end) and idle 30557 WAP7 (at the HWH end) [Picture provided]. It is a long train with many coaches, carrying at least 100 officers, staff, and security personnel. Shri Ishaq Khan, DRM/HWH was also on board. • The train arrived at Khana PF1A at 09:30. The GM inspected Khana station, Point No.60A, Curve No.11 & LC-60/T/Spl. His train then went to the next station, Jhapater Dhal, for train reversal after dropping him off at Khana. 30494 detached there. 30557 was now the leading locomotive. 30494 was the relief locomotive, which followed the GM's train until Howrah. The train came back to Khana and started at 09:55 to Barddhaman with the GM and others. • The train arrived at Barddhaman PF5 at 10:08 (2 mins ahead of the timetable). The GM disembarked and was welcomed by officers. A lot of officers and security staff got down. The GM went to the FOB to PF1, inspected the Crew lobby. A BA test was demonstrated and other items were shown to him. He then inspected the waiting hall, food stalls, running room, health unit, and RRI. • Meanwhile, his team of senior officers began inspecting water taps, FOB, cleanliness of parked trains, functionality of display boards, escalators, water coolers, toilets, etc. The team was surveying, with pen and paper, noting everything independently. • On the other hand, the GM visited the renovated station building, part of which had collapsed in the first week of January. He held a press conference and went directly to the Diesel Shed. • He inspected the diesel shed and its sections. DLS/BWN was celebrating its Golden Jubilee (1970-2020). The DLS was officially converted to DLS cum ELS by the GM, flagging off the First Electric Locomotive of DLS/BWN named "KAVIGURU." It is a WAG9 and also the First Commissioned 3-phase Goods Locomotive of Eastern Railway. • The GM then inspected the RPF barrack, Loco Colony, and inaugurated a Children's Park. • After all these, his train left Barddhaman at 13:00. • His train stopped at LC-47/E for Inspection at 13:08. He also interacted with Gang No.4. The train departed at 13:25. • He conducted a speed trial on a 33 km stretch between Palla Road & Belmuri. • He arrived at Belmuri at 13:40. After a lunch break, he resumed his Inspection. He and other officers visited the Railway colony, interacted with the residents, inaugurated a Reading room & Yoga room. He inspected Belmuri station and the TRD depot. His train left Belmuri at 15:25. • His train arrived at Chandanpur at 15:35. He inspected the Julka river bridge and also the under-construction bridge for the fourth line. He departed at 15:55. The GM's train arrived at Dankuni at 16:10. He inspected the station and RRI. His train left for Howrah at 16:50. The GM arrived at Howrah at 17:10. He inaugurated a Simulator Room at Howrah. This is how the GM Inspection is carried out. Now, one might wonder, what is the purpose of such Inspection? • The GM ensures every division is functioning well and providing amenities to passengers through this Inspection. • The section that the GM inspects undergoes significant development for his Inspection. Everything from tracks to stations gets renovated! As you know, he may stop wherever he wants. • I remember HBC had TSRs imposed in various places, rails, and sleepers being changed, etc., about 7-8 months ago. These were indications that the section would have a GM Inspection. The most important drawback of this Inspection is -- the GM does not inspect the PUNCTUALITY of running trains during this Inspection. • The Inspection seems like an eye wash to the GM, but his team of officers checks the passenger amenities in a more detailed way independently. • The GM rarely interacts with passengers during his Inspection due to his very tight schedule. • You will find station staff extremely helpful and well-dressed on this day; it feels no less than an Annual Function being held. Even I was surprised by the excessively helpful behavior of the RPF... as if the tea was overly sweet that day. Date: 04.03.20